Production press conference of FujiTV Winter 2016 drama "Otousan to yobasete"

The production press conference of FujiTV Winter 2016 drama "Otousan to yobasete" was held on 17 January which was attended by cast members Endo Kenichi, Watabe Atsuro, Wakui Emi, Renbutsu Misako, Shinkawa Yua, Nakamura Tomoya and Nakamura An. The drama which began its run from 19 January in the Tuesdays 10pm timeslot, features Endo as a 51-year-old single man who wants to marry his girlfriend 28 years his junior (Renbutsu) and faces strong opposition from her father (Watabe) who is of the same age as him.

Endo revealed that this was the first time he had to say "aishiteru" in a drama especially considering that he was never required to do so in his 30-odd year career. Even when he married his wife, he did not say this to her so he found it quite amusing since he tends to say rather "violent lines" often like "bukkoroshiteyaru" (I will kill you) when acting. He also revealed that there will be a scene where he dances naked and he recalled that while filming the scene, he became quite self-conscious about it when the make-up artist and Watabe teased him but overall, it was a fun scene to do. As for Renbutsu, she said that it has been an enjoyable filming so far and she feels that she can understand her character very well since she also likes older men in real life. In real life, Endo and Renbutsu have a 30-year age gap but both remarked that they can hardly feel it and praised each other for being cute and easy to work with.

When asked about their views on May-November relationships, Watabe commented that from his viewpoint as a 47-year-old man, he can't say for sure if such relationships will work in real life but thinks that he can't help but be conscious of the age difference despite the fact that there should be no restrictions in love. He doesn't think that a relationship like what is depicted in the drama is likely to happen in real life.

Watabe and Endo last worked together in the movie "Gaiji Keisatsu" in 2012 and have been in many dramas and movies together so far. Endo commented that Watabe has natural masculine charm and has good points which he doesn't thus making him a very interesting person to be with. Watabe also praised his co-star who he had been working together with for a long time and expressed his joy about their collaboration this time.

Source: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Sponichi 1 / Sponichi 2